Now This Is Love
2 simple — but not easy — commands from the Lord
===
(Now this is love: that we walk according to his commandments.) This is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning; thus you should walk in it.
2 John 6 (NET)
===
I always have trouble citing the one chapter Bible books.
I get in the habit of assuming the number following the book name is a chapter, but in this case it’s the verse (because there’s only one chapter).
Which doesn’t have anything to do with this verse, per se, but I thought I’d share my struggle in case there are others like me.
Anyway…
I like how John boils down love to an actionable basic.
There’s a danger here of turning this into a works-based salvation.
Of course we know from the context of other books in the Bible that this is about demonstrating salvation and not working to achieve salvation.
That’s very important.
Jesus told the Disciples that the world would know that we are His because of our love for one another.
Again, that’s demonstrating salvation.
It’s the fruit of the Spirit — remember, love is the first fruit — on display for all to see.
All we need to do is obey God and keep His commandments.
Okay, not easy … but we’re empowered by God to do that.
And for all the times we fail, Jesus’ sacrifice covers our sin.
One last thing:
Remember back in Matthew 20 we see Jesus boil all the commandments down to two kinds:
Love God. Love people.
If we do that, we demonstrate His love at work within us & through us.
Sharing this great love for the world to see.
Simple, though not easy.
— Ricky Ketchum
Copyright © 2025 by Ricky Ketchum. All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication prohibited.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NET) are from the NET Bible® copyright ©1996, 2019 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from the ESV®Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright© 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked (NKJV) are from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
